Daily Republican., 1887-12-23
A CHRISTMAS STORY.
HY EDITH CHESTER.


Christmas Eve was ushered in by n
olindinR sno ~ s;orm-one Of the real
Old fashioned klnd-and the party of
young folks ut Uncle Amos Fieldipa's
great New Engiand farmhouse wers
WIG with delight ~ their hopeful an
tloipatlone OF plenty OF good sleighipz
seemed In fair way of being speedily
realized.
A number OF nieoes and uephews nd,
In Response TO Unoie Amos cordial in.
vitation, come up from the city tO spend
the holidays with him and hls wife,
Aunt Eunice. and together with his
own sons and daughters, they formed a
merry party.
As evening advanced the storm In.
creased and the wind blew gale. More
loRs were thrown on the great blazing
hre. and Aunt Eunioe began prepare
tions for supper.
Marion Irving, one Of the city nieoes,
FASTENED TO offer her services. and with
the aid Of Kate and Helen-Un,ls
Amos two handsome daughtsrs-she
meal was goon announced In resdiness.
The company did ample justice 10. tho
chicken, pumpkin and minca pies and
Aunt Eunioe's celebrated cake, while
AZ the Same time Q good amount Of AMI
mated conversation WAS ind lged in.
When supper was over. Unole Amos
and bis son Frank stayted out 70 take
notes on the weather. The former was
the first to return.
"Wa'al, folks, 1 don't see how we're
Goin' down to the church to night" he
said slowly. "The wind is biovin' q
hurricane, and the snow is d.litin'
badly. I'm afeared OF an upset
but, father" said Kate, I'VE prom
ised to sssist In decorating, and We
must get thore some wsy-that is, Of
course, those who want to accompany
mt-for TO 80 I an determined"
As sbe CEASED spssking, every one
expressed themselves not only willing,
bnt anxious, to take the chances with
her.
"well, then, Get ready" called out
Frank Fielding, rs he stood In the door
way. I'VE men can face 1t we'll
enough" Then he added doubtfully,
But the ladie,-"
The sentence was cut short by an In
digpant chorus from the girls, and &c
the question was settled.
I'VE will coon have the sleigh out,
then" sad Frank; land, Kat, you see
about the robes and biankete.'
81 will. Nov, folks, wrap yourselvei
up we'll, for We have long ride before
Us; and do not be too long about 1t
either, for Wa must get to the village ai
early as possible"
Marion Irving was the first TO an
nouDce herself ready; and then, whil'
waiting for the others, she stood by tn,
window looking out upon the storm.
sac h20 beea ono OF the gayess, and
apparently one Of the hspptest, OF th'
number; Jet now ss she stooa sst
look overspread her face, asd sh
sighed weartly.
Christmas Eve brought With It o bit
/ tsr memory, aud try as she would, thI
gloomy thoushta would not be ban
ishtd Just five years before, on Christ
mas Eve, she had parted in anger from
the man she loved. A misunderstand d
| ing had taken piace--n mere nothing
had been OF frst-but she wss young
handsome and wealthy, hs poor msdi
| cal student. He had displeased her
and she sought an explanation. Deem
ing her too exactlng, he had not ex
| plnined matters satisfactorily, and In
| moment of passion she intimated ths
"it was no doub. as many said, that b
cared more for her wealth than he dit
for her."
An in,tant after she would hav
given ali her worldly possessions I
have besn able to recall those cruz
i hnf hA Iat n N
from that hour 10 the present time sh
had heard of him but onoe.
"He had settled In somo country vi
!sge," said her informant, "but wher
they did not know"
"Should she ever ass him ayaiu?" sh
was wondering,
Deeply absorbed In thought, she wa
startled when she heard her nam
called. Hurry.pg down che found th
party ready, aud then, amid muo
laughter and general good hutn0r, the
we're all finally seated In the i'm mems
old fashioned sleigh, and th0p starte
off
Uucle Amos insisted on driving.
Il know this road bo.tsr'n any
YOU folks" he said. And so, wit
much jolting and jostlin2, they a
length leached the village, and @ shoI
ride brought them to the church.
As they aliahted, O bsau,eous seer
presented itself before them. The littl
gothic building, with Its snow.co we're
roof standing out bravely in,'he storu
shedding from Its windows soft rays {
light, formed a charming picture. an
sesmed like shining beacon, guidin
the weary traveller home.
Despite the storm, many had alresd
preceded them; aud after several hour
OF scLive work, the decorations fd
Christmas were declared complete, an
then our party started homeward.
Although 1t was bitterly cold, an
the wind pierced them through, sti
they were all In splendid spirits. an
were Just complimeuting themse Ives
their psrseyera ancs and plnck when I'll
old sleigh, descending u stoep bill at
pretty lively rate, suddenly luEched
'one side, struck o snow drift, and owe
IL went, turning Its occupants unoer'
moDiously out without moment
warning. Then what q tumuit theI
was for q few moments! k.s irst 1t wt
leared that some one OF the party mi2f
be Injured, but as each one pfesente
himself In tolersbly good condition, th
pset was treated as an expected resul
Upcle Amos hurried about with an
told You. 10 air; still, he, too, preserve
bis usual gOoo nature.
The scene OF the accident was . ds
liehtfally located spot not far from th
village, aud the road on either eide wa
dotted with large and handsome ies
dences. Presently In the one nearest
them moving lights were seen. then th
door was opened. and a gentleman al
pesred, we'll muffled up and carrying
lantern.
"Hallow, therei" he called. What
the trouble? An upset?"
/ Nu.p.t Aoakaw ~ ratuYnah V1nHl